College degree program

High school and diploma graduates

The College Degree Program for Non-Employees is a highly selective scholarship program for Saudi male and female high school graduates.

It is one of the Saudi Aramco’s primary sources for entry-level Saudi professionals. Each year, Saudi Aramco selects top Saudi high school graduates from the science stream — with the requisite high school GPA, Qiyas, and company English and math placement scores — to be sponsored to study for a bachelor’s degree in a discipline required by the company.

After successful completion of Saudi Aramco's 10-month College Preparatory Program (CPP) in Dhahran, students are sponsored to attend an out-of-Kingdom university in their assigned field of study. Following successful completion of their bachelor’s degree program, students are targeted for employment at the professional level with Saudi Aramco.

Students are provided with a high level of support to ensure that they achieve their goals. While completing the CPP portion of the program, students will receive support from College Preparatory Center (CPC) staff to ensure that they are prepared for the challenges of enrolling in a top-tier university. This will include preparation for Test of English as a Foreign Language and International English Language Testing System tests and assistance with their university applications. In addition, the rigorous academic program offered in the CPC will ensure that students are ready to meet the academic challenges that they may face once they begin their university studies. The support offered to the program participants does not stop once they leave the Kingdom. Saudi Aramco counselors, located in many of the countries where CDPNE students will study, provide students with needed assistance while they are working to achieve their academic goals.

Benefits

During the CPP Program

If you are admitted to the program, Saudi Aramco will provide you with the following:

Support with preparation of your application for admission to a top-tier university and assistance with the registration process.

Assistance with preparation to meet the requirements for admission to a top-tier university, such as the SAT and IELTS exams.

A monthly stipend of SR 3,500.

Housing, as per Saudi Aramco’s housing policy.

Free transportation on Saudi Aramco buses.

Free medical care, as per company policy.

Use of the company’s aviation services inside the Kingdom.

Discounted tickets on Saudi Arabian Airlines domestic flights.

Access to recreational facilities, including swimming pools, gym, and other sports facilities. In addition, other public facilities are available close to company-provided housing, including restaurants, banks, and shopping centers.

During University

Sponsorship of your college education

A monthly stipend based on the location of your studies

A one-time unaccountable computer allowance

A book allowance for each academic year

A one-time allowance to assist with your settling-in expenses upon arrival at the school location

An academic achievement award based on your academic performance and the ranking of the university you are attending as per Saudi Aramco list of schools

A return ticket once every academic year subject to meeting the program requirements

Medical coverage based on the company’s policy

Academic counseling and guidance will be provided throughout the period of the sponsorship

Orientation programs in Dhahran, as well as in the country in which you will be studying, if applicable

*The company reserves the right to change the program entitlements at any time.

Benefits as a Saudi Aramco Employee

A monthly salary, paid 12 times a year, plus one Ramadan salary payment.

Housing allowance (three months base salary per year).

Extra incentives related to the worksite location that could reach up to 70% of the basic annual salary. Possibility of an annual corporate bonus.

Annual leave, as per company policy, plus public holidays, as scheduled in the company’s operational calendar.

Medical coverage for you, your wife, your children, and your parents.

An option to participate in the company’s savings plan (Thrift Plan).

An option to participate in the company’s Home Ownership Program.

Access to recreational facilities.

Use of the company’s aviation services inside the Kingdom.

Use of the company’s bus transportation services.

Corporate discounts with various product and service providers in the Kingdom and around the world, such as major hotels, international airlines and car rental companies.

Requirements & Majors

Program Requirements for Males

Be currently enrolled in the second semester of the grade 12 science track, for the current academic year (1439/1440 H), or have graduated from the high school science track during the current academic year (1439/1440 H).

If the cumulative percentage is 90% and more for the entire high school duration (Grades 10, 11, and the first semester of grade 12) and the cumulative percentage for math and science courses (math, physics, chemistry, and biology) for the entire high school duration (Grades 10, 11, and the first semester of grade 12) is 90% and more. The applicant must hold QIYAS score of 85 or more. (The QIYAS GAT is provided by the National Center for Assessment in Higher Education.)

If the cumulative percentage is (85% to 89.99%) for the entire high school duration (Grades 10, 11, and the first semester of grade 12) and the cumulative percentage is (85% to 89.99%) for math and science courses (math, physics, chemistry, and biology) for the entire high school duration (Grades 10, 11, and the first semester of grade 12). The applicant must hold QIYAS score of 90 or more. (The QIYAS GAT is provided by the National Center for Assessment in Higher Education.)

Candidates must present a valid government ID or a passport before taking the CDPNE test. Any candidates who do not present a valid government ID or a passport will not be allowed to take the test.

If the applicant is accepted into the program, he or she must submit a Tahseeli score (no minimum score) prior to the start of the program.

Majors for Males ( majors offered in 2019)

Chemical Engineering

Chemistry

Civil Engineering

Computer Science

Computer Engineering

Computer Security

Criminal Justice

Electrical Engineering

Environmental Engineering

Finance

Geographic Information Systems

Marine Engineering

Materials Science and Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Nautical Science

Petroleum Engineering

Safety Engineering

Security Management

Software Engineering

Supply Chain Management

Systems Engineering

Geology

Geophysics

Program Requirements for Females

Be currently enrolled in the second semester of the grade 12 science track, for the current academic year (1439/1440 H), or have graduated from the high school science track during the current academic year (1439/1440 H).

If the cumulative percentage is 90% and more for the entire high school duration (Grades 10, 11, and the first semester of grade 12) and the cumulative percentage for math and science courses (math, physics, chemistry, and biology) for the entire high school duration (Grades 10, 11, and the first semester of grade 12) is 90% and more. The applicant must hold QIYAS score of 85 or more. (The QIYAS GAT is provided by the National Center for Assessment in Higher Education.)

If the cumulative percentage is (85% to 89.99%) for the entire high school duration (Grades 10, 11, and the first semester of grade 12) and the cumulative percentage is (85% to 89.99%) for math and science courses (math, physics, chemistry, and biology) for the entire high school duration (Grades 10, 11, and the first semester of grade 12). The applicant must hold QIYAS score of 90 or more. (The QIYAS GAT is provided by the National Center for Assessment in Higher Education.)

Candidates must present a valid government ID or a passport before taking the CDPNE test. Any candidates who do not present a valid government ID or a passport will not be allowed to take the test.

If the applicant is accepted into the program, he or she must submit a Tahseeli score (no minimum score) prior to the start of the program.

Majors for females (majors offered in 2019)

Accounting

Chemical Engineering

Chemistry

Civil Engineering

Communication Engineering

Computer Science

Electrical Engineering

Finance

Geophysics

Human Resources Management

Materials Sci & Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Petroleum Engineering

Software Engineering

Supply Chain Management

Geology

Geomatics

What you need to do

Complete the online application form.

Attend the English and Math test on April 12 – 13, 2019

If you are initially nominated for the program, you will be scheduled for an appointment to complete the below processes:

Complete the pre-employment medical examination between May 5 and 9, 2019 “you will receive the invitation through email”

Attending the CDPNE job fair for the initially selected candidates between May 12 and 14, 2019 “you will receive the invitation through email”

Signing the agreement and IDs, starting from June 23, 2019.

Attending the program start-up on July 28, 2019.

You will need to submit the official copies of your high school transcripts, plus a photocopy of your passport photo prior to starting the CPP.

Note:

The above mentioned date are subject to change, therefore, please visit the website frequently to check changes that may occur to these dates.

How to Apply

The application will be opened from March 18, 2019 8:00 AM to March 25, 2019 3:00 PM.

Saja Mohamed Matsah

Testimonials

Saja Mohamed Matsah

Major: Computer Science

I joined the CPP because I’ve always been passionate about programming. I‘ve never stopped chasing my dream to become a programmer, even though the field of computer science is dominated by males, and there are limited opportunities to study computer science.

I was inspired by my brother, who was a former CPP student. He provided me with a lot of information about his time as a CDPNE student. He told me about Saudi Aramco’s CPP, which prepares trainees mentally and physically for life overseas. It helps to build students’ independence and life management skills, and provides a platform to explore their creativity through club activities. The ultimate goal is to ensure that trainees are ready to study abroad in one of the top universities worldwide.

It is important to note that before applying to the CDPNE, prospective students should aim to get high marks in secondary school, and have the strength and commitment to do their best to serve their company and their country.

Reem Khalid Alrowaished

Reem Khalid Alrowaished

Major: Geophysics

Choosing Saudi Aramco was a natural choice for someone who was always at the top of their class. On a professional level, Aramco provided a path that aligned my passion for being part of the solution to our world’s complex environmental issues with achieving my career goals.

When I first joined the company, I was put on the CPP’s engineering track. This would prepare me for my dream job in geophysics. I had just started my journey when I was provided with the chance to visit my sponsoring department. There, I had the chance to see my future workplace, where I will work when I return from completing my degree overseas.

During the preparation year, Aramco offers a supportive and experienced team that takes care of us and assists us with our university applications, improves our academic skills, and helps to guide us to become young professionals. I am also privileged to be surrounded by brilliant colleagues who share similar aspirations.

These are just a few things of the things that make me proud to be an Aramcon.

Jamal AlJulahi

Jamal AlJulahi

Major: Supply Chain Management

As a high school student, I set a goal to be a top achiever throughout my academic career. Included in this goal was the hope of studying at a top-tier university overseas. I believed that studying overseas would help me develop my English skills and also have a positive impact on my personal development. However, I knew that this would be a challenge. I chose to join Saudi Aramco’s CDPNE program because I knew that I would receive the support that I need to achieve my goals.

The first part of the program involves a study year at the CPC. The program and the staff working there helped to support me in various ways. First, the staff provided help with my application essays and personal statements that I needed to get accepted to a university. In addition, they made sure that I was prepared to tackle my international examinations, and they helped all the students to achieve high scores on those exams. Getting a good score on the Advanced Placement exams, IELTS exam, and SAT exams was crucial to getting accepted at my target school. In addition, the highly qualified teachers and the strong academic program at the CPC made sure that all students were ready to start their university studies at an academically challenging school.

I know that I made the right choice in joining Saudi Aramco’s CDPNE program.